NT Reporter Margao
The recent heavy rains have left around 25 farmers in Benaulim suffering losses of Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 each, as their newly-planted paddy has been destroyed by flooding. The farmers have appealed to the state for compensation.
The affected fields are located near Tolleband, where the Western bypass is also situated. Less than 10 days after transplanting, the seedlings have rotted in standing water.
“Generally, by the month of August the rains are not this bad, and often subside. But this year, nature has changed its regular pattern. Climate change is a serious issue and this weather change has caused us serious losses,” said farmer John Barretto.
He said that around 25 farmers have spent around Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 each for planting their fields, but even before the sapling could take root, water collected in the fields, which led to many of the saplings breaking and rotting.
Another farmer said, “Usually after August 10, the rains would subside. There were never floods in the area at this time of the year and we would usually grow our fields at this time. We would not grow our fields during the peak monsoon months because of water logging.”
They said that the rainwater has not overflowed onto nearby roads as in the past.
